November 30, 2009

The International Bible Institute of Albania invites you to join us as we recognize six individuals who have successfully completed our requirements for graduation.

For two years they have willingly submitted their minds, souls, bodies and strength toward the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of God and His Inspired Word. The ultimate reward for each of them will be to hear their Father in Heaven commend them with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter your reward.”

Our ceremony will be a time to congratulate our students for their achievement and bless them in their ongoing transformation into more effective servants of God. We will honor them on:

Saturday, December 19, 2009
from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
at the Blue Star, Sixth Floor, Conference Room Tirana, Albania

A reception will follow the ceremony

September 7, 2009

Stamatis Status – July and August, 2009

Though I am still in the States until Thursday, the students of IBIA were scheduled to begin a seminar week today. This is a self-guided study of the course, “Scheme of Redemption”. This is a Sunset DVD course taught by Ed Wharton.

If we make all of our flight connections we are scheduled to arrive back in Albania at 10:45 Friday morning. We have been invited to attend the wedding of Altin Koci’s sister at their parent’s home in a village outside of Lushnje for Saturday morning. Though we have every intention right now of attending the event, I am not sure how hard the reality of jet-lag will hit me in my transition back to the seven hour time difference between Arkansas and Albania.

A week from today I will begin teaching a full load of three courses. This term we will be studying “Wisdom Literature”, “The Letters of John”, and “Church History”. In the first week of the “Church History” course Alfred Dimce will teach the specific history of what happened to Christ’s church in the area of Illyricum which modern day Albania descended from. As part of that emphasis, the school will take an excursion each Friday to a different religious archaeological site and on Monday and Tuesday of the following “Break Week” we will take a two day excursion to Butrint in the south of Albania.

It is hard to believe our time in the States is at an end. Though I traveled extensively this summer, I was not able to go to every place I wanted to. I thank each of you that allowed me to share God’s Word with you and what we think God is doing through IBIA. Your fellowship, hospitality and graciousness were a blessing and a source of great encouragement. I appreciate what you are doing in your local service for the Kingdom. We also greatly benefit from your not only thinking globally but the reality of your partnership with us in our Kingdom efforts in the Balkan nation of Albania.

I know there are many questions for all of us on many levels about what is in store for us in the future as a church and as a nation. But, that is the living by faith that God calls us to. We must continue to step forward and make plans for a future that has really always been known only by God. Our financial situation is not rock solid, but we step forward with confidence as we trust in the Rock to work through individuals and congregations like you to make and follow through on your sacrificial offerings that provide the needed finances to train Christ-centered leaders, teachers and preachers for Albania and the Balkans.

For those of you that receive this newsletter we appreciate your consideration of our financial needs as you prepare your congregational and personal budgets for 2010. We are blessed with not only congregations that support us, but with members of our family and beloved individuals whom we have been blessed to enjoy fellowship in various places I have served the Word. Please remember that we lost about 50% of our monthly operating budget in February. At that same time we also lost about 10% of our personal support. That has not been replaced. We will be able to finish this year because of several sacrificial one time contributions. For us to start another two year commitment with new students in January of 2010 we do not just want your financial partnership – we need it.

As I write this newsletter this morning I have no assurance or certainty that we will be financially able to continue on with IBIA in January. Having said that, I know there are tens of millions around the world that do not have financial assurance for tomorrow. Even worse there are multiple billions that have no spiritual assurance at this moment. But, what those of us in Christ do have is the full assurance of the certainty of God and His precious promises to us. We are not to make our jars of clay nor our temporary time on earth the treasure. Our treasure of God’s gracious deliverance is carried in our jars of clay in the time He gives us. Our spiritual treasure gives our jars of clay significance, a single-minded focus, satisfaction and security. We do in fact share the true wealth – in Christ. Together, by faith, we can increase the number of those who understand this truth and are more fully equipped to share it.

With gratitude and joy in Christ,
Steve Stamatis – Dean, IBIA